Portable disc golf target

ABSTRACT

The invention includes a pole and a base that when detachably coupled stand upright for use as a knock-over target in the game of disc golf. The invention is shaped and adapted to fall over easily when the pole is struck. The pole may be plain or decorated with marking such as target sections or stripes, and the base is ideally lightweight, thin and relatively small, and shaped as a polygon with an odd number of sides. The invention provides disc golfers with a scoring target of exceedingly easier portability than prior art scoring target baskets and that in use improves the clarity of observers and judges as to whether a disc has made physical contact with the invention. The invention enables the game of disc golf to be more conveniently played at locations that are more difficult or infeasible to bring and position prior art basket targets.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates to sporting equipment in general, and specifically to a lightweight pole with a base adapted to cause the pole to fall over easily when struck.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions.

It is generally accepted that the first game of “disc golf” was played in Bladworth, Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1927, with some elementary school children throwing tin lids into four-foot-wide circles drawn in sandy schoolyards. However, the game grew popular in the 1960's and 1970's with the invention and use of plastic throwing discs. Disc golf courses laid out in parks by selection of “object” targets, such as particular trees, trash cans, light poles, or park benches eventually ensued. This kind of game often had the drawback of players not being able to reliably determine whether the target had actually been struck, sometimes resulting in tiresome arguments, to the extent that the standard disc golf catching basket, a basket consisting of chains hanging in a parabolic shape and mounted on a metal pole that one might find in a park today, was invented in 1975. This basket became the new standard disc golf target, with the advantage that a thrown disc either going into the basket or not was an objective measure of a successful throw and left no room for reasonable argument.

However, not all parks or playgrounds include a disc golf target, and the standard portable disc golf basket consists of about 15 to 60 pounds of metal and other part that must be installed as a fixture of the park, just like a basketball hoop or a water fountain. The lightest commonly available portable disc golf basket weighs 15 pounds. A disc golf player lacking a disc golf basket installed at their local park has few alternatives besides falling back on selecting trees and circles in the sand, with the already-stated drawbacks thereof.

Therefore, there is a long-felt need for a lightweight, portable disc golf target that provides comparable score objectivity to that of a disc golf basket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Towards these and other objects of the method of the present invention (hereinafter, “the invented method”) that are made obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure, what is provided is a device for use as sporting equipment comprising a pole coupled with a flat base, which is adapted to fall over when the pole is struck by a golf disc.

In preferred embodiments, the base might be detachable from the pole, lightweight, flat on both sides, and fairly thin, for easy storage. In preferred embodiments, the base is in the shape of a polygon having an odd number of sides (such as a pentagon, heptagon, nonagon, and so on), because the lack of symmetry may make the device less directionally oriented, and not more likely to be knocked over from any particular angle over another. Further, a polygon with flat sides rather than a rounded base such as a circular base may be preferable in most embodiments because this includes the added benefit of rolling on the ground less once knocked over. One preferred mechanism for attaching and detaching the base and pole might be a tapped aperture in the base and a threaded bottom end of the pole, such that the pole can be screwed into the base. In some preferred embodiments, the top of the pole is rounded. In some preferred embodiments, the pole may be painted with one or more stripes or section, such as to improve visibility or provide a target section of the pole to aim for while playing a game.

The invention may be ideal for use as sporting equipment for schools, as a portable, easily disassembled, easily assembled, and easily reassembled replacement disc golf target for the permanent fixture of a standard disc golf basket.

The invention is shaped and adapted to tilt over and fall easily when the pole is struck by a thrown projectile such as a golf disc. While the invented target may be initially viewed simply as an ‘easier’ designated target to use for discerning a hit from a miss, as contrasted to a tree or bench which offers no easy indicator that the target has been successfully struck and may lead to more debates over ‘borderline’ throws, one skilled in the art of disc golf and sports may recognize that the providing of a knock-over target can obsolete the frustrating need for ‘discerning’ hits from misses altogether. Like a soccer ball flying into a goal or a bowling pin falling down, a knocking over of the invented target by a thrown projectile can be designated as a concrete, measurable basis for scoring: if the pole falls over, it's a hit, and if the pole doesn't fall over, it's a miss, no matter how close the throw appears to be, and the need for discerning or judging hits from misses is removed entirely. One doesn't measure the success of a bowling game by anything but the number of pins still standing (even if a pin that ‘should have’ fallen over somehow didn't); disc golf at least might benefit from this same kind of unambiguity in scoring, and the invented knock-over disc target is designed to be improved for this application, not merely as a measurement tool facilitating subjective judgment, but as a determiner of success that obsoletes the need for that subjective judgment at all.

The invention may be made of any suitable material, such as wood, plastic, metal, or rubber, with wood preferred based on present experience in constructing and experimenting with prototypes of the invention. Wood, particularly hickory wood, is preferred for at least the rationales of weight, ideal durability, and reduced likelihood of the pole getting knocked loose from the base.

Some preferred measurements and ratios may be included herein, based on prototype models of the invention and best practices for building the invention as currently understood. None of these specifications or measurements should be construed as limiting, or as a declaration that all embodiments of the invention must adhere to or follow those measurements. Inclusion of these may be considered as disclosure advising the best already-known method for making the invention as presently understood, but by no means presumed as the only acceptable specifications.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

FIG. 1 is an overview diagram presenting the invented pole being used as sports equipment by a person throwing a frisbee disc.

FIG. 2A is a diagram of a first alternative stick of the invented device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a diagram of a second alternative stick of the invented device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a diagram of the base of the invented device of FIG. 1 as viewed from above with the pole not attached.

FIG. 3B is a diagram of the base of FIG. 3A as viewed from above with the stick attached.

FIG. 3C is a diagram of the base of FIG. 3A as viewed from the side with the stick not attached.

FIG. 3D is a diagram of the base of FIG. 3A as viewed from the bottom.

FIG. 4 is a diagram presenting the base side view of FIG. 3C, cutaway to also show the threading of the aperture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous details, examples, and embodiments of the invention are described. However, it will be clear and apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth and that the invention can be adapted for any of several applications.

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular aspects of the present invention described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims. Methods recited herein may be carried out in any order of the recited events which is logically possible, as well as the recited order of events.

Where a range of values is provided herein, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the methods and materials are now described.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation.

When elements are referred to as being “connected” or “coupled,” the elements can be directly connected or coupled together or one or more intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when elements are referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled,” there are no intervening elements present.

Throughout this specification, like reference numbers signify the same elements throughout the description of the figures.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is an overview diagram presenting the invented pole 100 as used in a sporting context, with a player 102 throwing a disc 104 at the pole 100. The invented pole 100 consists of a stick 106 coupled to a base 108. It is noted that the applications of the invention are not limited to sports involving discs or other projectiles, and this is only one possible application presented as context.

Provided additionally in all of the Figures is a compass indicating an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis, wherein the Y axis is directly vertical and orthogonal to the ground, and the X axis and Z axis are each parallel to the ground (horizontal) and both orthogonal to each other and to the Y axis. A maximum dimension of a disc diameter D1 of the throwing disc 104 may measure between 15 cm and 35 cm.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2A is a diagram presenting a first alternative embodiment of the stick 106 of the invented pole 100 that is painted with stripes and sections. The painted stick 106 has a top end 200 that is furthest from the ground and the base 108 along the Y axis, and may preferably be unpainted and rounded; a first black stripe 202A; a red section 204; a second black stripe 202B; an unpainted section 206, and a bottom end 208 that is preferably threaded to fit into the base 108. As an example of some preferred measurements for these various sections, the first stick 106 may measure 54 inches along the Y axis from top end 200 to bottom end 208; of that 54 inch a height dimension along the Y axis, the threaded bottom end section may measure 1 inch along the Y-axis, the unpainted section 206 may measure 28.5 inches along the Y axis, the second black stripe 202B may measure 2.5 inches along the Y axis, the red section 204 may measure 17.5 inches along the Y axis, the first black stripe may measure 2.5 inches along the Y axis, and the unpainted section at the top end 200 may measure 2 inches along the Y axis; the first stick 106 may measure 1.25 inches in diameter along the X axis and/or Z axis for the entire length along the Y axis except for the threaded bottom end 208 which may be ¾ inch in diameter along the X and/or Z axis. These are given as an example of preferred measurements only, in the interest of disclosing the best construction method as currently known to the inventor, and should not be construed as limiting of the scope of the invention. In a preferred application, the red section 204 may be used as a target one might aim for with a disc 104 or other projectile when the invented pole 100 is used as sporting equipment.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 2B, FIG. 2B presents a second alternative embodiment of the stick 106 that is unpainted. This unpainted stick 106 may also have the example measurements of FIG. 2A, namely 54 inches in height along the Y axis and 1.25 inch in diameter along the X and/or Z axis with the bottom 1 inch of the 54-inch height along the Y axis ¾ inch in diameter along the X and/or Z axis and threaded to fit into the base 108, though in the case of the unpainted stick 106, the unpainted section 206 measures the entire remaining 53 inches along the Y axis. It is noted that the two stick 106 designs given in FIGS. 2A and 2B are not exhaustive or comprehensive as to how the stick 106 may be decorated or marked, and only represent two configurations or patterns considered to be useful or demonstrative. Further, it is noted that, while a mostly cylindrical stick 106, with a rounded top 200 and a narrower, threaded bottom 208, is generally preferred, a stick 106 having a non-circular cross-section may also be a possible embodiment of the invention.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 3A, FIG. 3A is a diagram of the base 108 of the invented pole 100 of FIG. 1, as viewed from above with the stick 106 detached. Some possible and preferred measurements for the size of the base 108 may be between 15 cm and 35 cm along the X axis and between 15 cm and 35 cm along the Z axis. A regular polygon, with equal width along both the X and the Z axes, is preferred, at least because symmetry in the base reduces the possibility that the pole 100 is more likely to be knocked over by a throw coming from any one ‘special’ angle as opposed to another. It is also noted that a base sized similarly to or smaller than a standard throwing disc 104 is preferred, for facilitating storage of the base 108 with a plurality of throwing discs 104, such as in a bag or container shaped to fit throwing discs 104.

The base 108 may consist of a base top side 300, a tapped base aperture 302, a base washer 306, and a base underside 308. The base 108 is preferably shaped like a polygon with an odd number of sides, such as the nonagon-shaped base 108 presented in FIGS. 3A through 3D. This preferred feature provides at least the benefits of (1.) reducing the chance of the pole 100 rolling away after being knocked over, and (2.) providing little or no advantage based on which direction a thrown disc 104 may approach from. For instance, if the base 108 were square, a throw lined up with one of the four corners would not be equally likely to knock over the target as a throw toward one of the four sides, and one of these angles would be clearly preferable over the other; unless this inequality is preferred as an additional strategic aspect, this odd-sided polygon shape that offers minimal such advantages or disadvantages is preferred for the base 108.

The tapped base aperture 302 is preferably tapped to match the threaded bottom end 208 of the stick 106 as discussed above, and the base washer 306 may optionally further improve this connection point between stick 106 and base 108.

Additionally presented is a base diameter D2 of the base 108, which is preferably less than the maximum dimensional measure of the disc diameter D1 and may measure between 15 cm and 35 cm along both the X and Z axes.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 3B, FIG. 3B is a diagram of the base 108 of the invented pole 100 of FIG. 1, as viewed from above with the stick 106 attached.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 3C, FIG. 3C is a diagram of the base 108 of the invented pole 100 of FIG. 1, as viewed from the side with the stick 106 detached. From this angle, further preferred features of the base 108 such as the slight sloping at the edges of the top side 300 are apparent. The base 108 may measure in height along the Y axis between 0.5 inch and 1.5 inches, with a preference for a measurement of 1 inch plus or minus 0.2 inches. It is noted that a thin, shallow base with a low profile is preferred, both for portability (such as a base 108 that is almost the same size and shape as one's throwing discs 104, and can be carried and stored in the same manner) and also for providing a target that can be readily knocked over when struck by a thrown disc 104 but can still stand up in a stiff breeze.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 3D, FIG. 3D is a diagram of the base 108 of the invented pole 100 of FIG. 1, as viewed from beneath, such that the base underside 308 is visible and the base top side 300 is obscured. In this preferred embodiment, the tapped base aperture 302 continues all the way through the base 108. The tapped base aperture 302 that continues all the way through the base, even if this is deeper than the threaded bottom end 208 of the stick 106 is tall (in the example measurements listed regarding FIG. 2A, this is the 1 inch), may also be useful for storage by providing a ‘donut’ structure, allowing storage solutions such as being able to stack multiple bases 108 on a spindle structure for storage, or thread a rope or cable through several bases 108 and tie these together into a bundle for storing or carrying. With this said, the base 108 is still generally preferred to be relatively thin, lightweight, small in the base diameter D2, and low to the ground, as these qualities are considered best for producing a pole that reliably falls over when struck, and also for producing a piece of sporting equipment that is portable and easy to store, such as by stowing the relatively similarly-sized and -shaped base 108 with one's throwing disc(s) 104, in a bag shaped for holding throwing discs 104.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a side cutaway view of the base 108, presented at least in part to emphasize the preferred feature of the tapped base aperture 302 continuing all the way through the base 108. A tapped surface 400 of the tapped base aperture 302 is shaped such that the threaded bottom end 208 of the pole 106 can be screwed into the base 108. It is noted that other means of fastening as known in the art might be suitable for detachably coupling the stick 106 to the base 108, and none of those other possible means are excluded. A threaded connection is preferred at least for the benefits of ease of assembly and disassembly and sturdiness while in use as a target intended to be struck and knocked to the ground. The base 108 preferably extends in a height dimension along the Y axis within the range of from 0.5 inch to 1.5 inches, and more preferably extends in the height dimension along the Y axis within range of 1 inch plus or minus 0.2 inches. It is noted that a thin, shallow base with a low profile is preferred, both for portability (such as a base 108 that is almost the same size and shape as one's throwing discs, and can be carried and stored in the same manner) and also for providing a target that can be readily knocked over when struck by the thrown disc 104 but can still stand up in a stiff breeze.

It is noted that, while a range of possible measurements and dimensions has been given already, the following set of measurements is strongly preferred and believed to be optimal. First, it is preferred that the base diameter D2 of the base 108 along the X and Z axes not exceed the disc diameter D1 of the disc 104, and that the height of the base along the Y axis not exceed two times the height of the disc 104. This preference is based at least in portability and storage and also in providing proportional stability. It is noted that the regulation size diameter D1 of a commonly observed standard golf disc 104 is between 21 cm and 21.4 cm. Alternatively or additionally, the disc 104 may have a disc diameter within the range of 21-22 cm, i.e., 8.3-8.7 in and weigh within the range of 130-180 g, i.e., within the weight range of 4.6-6.3 oz.

Additionally, the preferred height for the pole 106 is 54 inches, for at least the reasons that this provides a target of similar height to a disc golf basket as discussed in the Background, and that this size is more easily transportable in a vehicle (being approximately similar in height to the handle of a conventional broom or shovel). Additionally, the preferred diameter of the pole 106 along the X and Z axes is 1.25 inch. It was discovered through trial and error that a smaller diameter than 1.25 inch (such as the tested narrower size of 1.125 inch) may impair visibility of the target, and tends to feel more like a ‘stick’ as opposed to a ‘pole’, and that a broader diameter than 1.25 inch (such as the tested broader diameter of 1⅛ inch) significantly increased the weight of the pole 106 and was found to be significantly more expensive to manufacture using the preferred material. It is emphasized that the scope of the invention is limited only by the claims, and this further disclosure of preferences regarding ideal dimensions is offered only in the interest of making available an improved method for manufacture of the invention as currently understood.

While selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/or desired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting each other can have intermediate structures disposed between them. The functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. The structures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment, it is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodied by such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 

I claim:
 1. A device for use as sporting equipment, the device comprising an elongate pole detachably coupled with a base having a planar bottom side, the device adapted to fall over when the pole is struck.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the base has a planar top side.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the displacement between the top side of the base and the planar bottom side of the base measures less than 5% of a length measurement of the elongate pole.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the displacement between an uppermost point of the base and the planar bottom side of the base measures less than 5% of a length measurement of the elongate pole.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the base and elongate pole are detachably coupled by means of a tapped aperture in the base and a corresponding pattern of threading located at a base end of the elongate pole.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the width of the base is no more than 20% of a length measurement of the elongate pole.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein a perimeter of the base forms the shape of a polygon having an odd number of sides.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein a top end of the elongate pole is rounded.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein one or more stripes are painted on the elongate pole.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein one or more sections are painted on the elongate pole.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the base is made of a lightweight material. 